Our first-ever appearance in the UEFA Super Cup ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain after a dramatic night in Italy on Wednesday.
In what was Thomas Frank’s first competitive game as our Head Coach, we looked like we were going to add more silverware to the Europa League trophy we won three months ago, leading the Champions League winners 2-0 with five minutes to go.
A goal in each half from defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero – leading the team out after being appointed club captain – coupled with an outstanding display put us in control at the Stadio Friuli, home of Udinese. But PSG dug deep and levelled with two late goals, Kang-In Lee scoring with five minutes left before Goncalo Ramos equalised in the 94th minute. The game went straight to penalties and once again we led 2-0, but we couldn’t hold onto our advantage again and ended up losing 4-3 on spot-kicks.
The French champions only returned to training recently having reached the FIFA Club World Cup Final during the summer, but fielded eight of the starting 11 that began the Champions League Final against Internazionale, which they won 5-0. However, we produced a superb performance. All over the pitch we were excellent, defensively sound, snapping into tackles and closing up the gaps in midfield and dangerous in attack, while the pressing of the team in all areas was outstanding, not allowing PSG to get into their stride until the final moments when they dragged themselves back into the contest to force the shootout.
Only 35 seconds were on the clock when Pedro Porro took a 25-yard pot shot that flew over the bar, although the French champions settled into the contest quickly and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had an opening but shot wide on the turn after a pass from Warren Zaire-Emery after seven minutes.
PSG were dominating possession in the early stages, although the first big chance of the game went our way in the 23rd minute after Richarlison won possession near half-way, laid off to Mohammed Kudus and then made a great run through the middle. Kudus picked him out with a return pass and Richarlison’s first-time shot from 25 yards out needed tipping over by Lucas Chevalier. As we continued to hold PSG at bay, a couple of counter-attacks for us didn’t lead to anything meaningful until a poor Marquinhos clearance fell straight to Kudus, only for the Paris defender to produce a fine block. At the other end, Ousmane Dembele was high and wide with an effort from a van de Ven clearance.
We took the lead in the 39th minute and it was no more than we deserved. Guglielmo Vicario launched a free-kick from half-way, Romero won the first header, Joao Palhinha forced Chevalier into a magnificent save which he pushed onto the crossbar but van de Ven was on hand to slam home from close range. And on the stroke of half-time, it was almost 2-0 as Kevin Danso won a big header, Richarlison touched it on and Kudus sent his effort against the post before PSG cleared their lines. We went in with a narrow lead at the break having not faced a single shot on target.
That lead was doubled just two minutes into the second half. Richarlison had already forced Chevalier into a good save when we won another free-kick, this time Pedro Porro delivering to the back post where Romero was waiting to head back across goal and in, Chevalier this time with a poor effort to keep it out. Danso then sent another back-post header into the side-netting as we made a great start to the second period.
PSG stepped up a level as they looked for a way back into the game and it needed a smart save down to his right from Vicario to keep out Desire Doue’s curling effort in the 66th minute before Dembele fired wide after good build-up down their left. Substitute Lee drilled a free-kick into Porro after the same player was upended by Mathys Tel right on the edge of the area, but then PSG did pull a goal back with five minutes remaining. It was Lee with the strike, arrowing a 20-yard drive into the bottom corner past Vicario to set up a tense finish.
Nuno Mendes rifled in a shot from distance which Dominic Solanke did well to get his head to for a corner but eventually the pressure told, Dembele whipping in a cross which Ramos headed home from close range to level it up at 2-2. That’s how it ended and we went straight to penalties. First up was Solanke, confidently tucking home to give us the perfect start, while Vitinha missed the target with PSG’s opener. Rodrigo Bentancur slammed home his spot-kick to make it 2-0, before Ramos converted to put his side on the board.
Then it all unravelled. Van de Ven saw his effort saved by Chevalier and Dembele levelled it up at 2-2 as he sent Vicario the wrong way. Mathys Tel was next, reading the goalkeeper’s dive to his left only to then send his shot the wrong side of the opposite upright. PSG took the lead for the first time on the night as Lee converted their fourth while Porro kept us in the match with a composed penalty to level it at 3-3. That left Mendes with the opportunity to win the cup for Paris, which he duly did. Heartbreaking, but we head home with our heads held high.
Spurs – Solanke – scoredPSG – Vitinha – missedSpurs – Bentancur – scoredPSG – Ramos – scoredSpurs – van de Ven – savedPSG – Dembele – scoredSpurs – Tel – missedPSG – Lee – scoredSpurs – Pedro Porro – scored
PSG – Mendes - scored
Match data
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Goals: PSG – Lee 85, Ramos 90+4; Spurs – van de Ven 39, Romero 48.
Yellow cards: PSG – Barcola, Pacho, Dembele; Spurs – Richarlison, Danso.
Referee: Joao Pinheiro (Portugal).
Venue: Stadio Friuli (Udine).
Weather: Clear sky, light winds, 27 degrees.
Attendance: 21,025.